Radio chassis mounting construction



April 1951 B. T. SETCHELL 2,549,021

RADIO CHASSIS MOUNTING CONSTRUCTION Filed April 24, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 1 B. T. SETCHELL RADIO CHASSIS MOUNTING CONSTRUCTION April 17, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 24, 194

April 17, 1951 B. T. SETCHELL 2,549,021

RADIO CHASSIS MOUNTING CONSTRUCTION Filed April 24, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 5 3mm 70 2mm]? sac/M6 J and to slide the chassis from the cabinet. I

Patented Apr. 17, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RADIO CHASSIS MOUNTING CONSTRUCTION Barton T. Setchell, St. Paul, Minn.

Application April 24, 1946, Serial No. 664,491

metal inserts embedded in the plastic to permit the chassis to be connected thereto. Such inserts increase the molding time considerably. As a result the cost of production of the cabinets is considerably increased because of these inserts.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cabinet which may be molded without the use of metal inserts and to which the radio chassis may be easily and quickly secured. In place of bolting the chassis to the cabinet, I slidably mount the chassis on a series of parallel posts and provide a simple means of holding the chassis so engaged. As a result the construction of the cabinets is considerably simplified and the assembly time is also greatly decreased.

7 A feature of the presentinvention resides in molding a cabinet body with a plurality of parallel posts and to equip the chassis with a similar number of apertures spaced and shaped to accommodate the posts. As a result the chassis may be slidably engaged upon the posts and supported thereby.

A further featureof the present invention resides in the provision of grooves in the posts or heads thereupon for engaging a spring member supported upon the chassis. The spring is engageable into the grooves or beneath the heads of theposts, thereby holding the chassis supported upon the posts.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the ease with which the chassis may be inserted into, or removed from its cabinet. In inserting the chassis into the cabinet it is only necessary to slide the chassis onto the supporting posts until the spring fingers on the chassis engage in the grooves of the post. In removing the chassis it is only necessary to flex the spring fingers out of the locking grooves in the posts A further feature of the preent'invention li'es 'in the manner of supporting the operating knobs chassis is moved intothe cabinet in a radial direction relative to the knobs.

periphery of each knob may extend. As a result a portion of each knob is accessible from the exterior of the cabinet. Thus in the assembly of the radio receiving unit, it is not necessaryto attach the knobs after the chassis is inserted into its cabinet.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a radio receiving unit chassis which is complete with speaker, antenna, and operating dials which may be readily tried out andtested either before it is inserted into the cabinet These and other objects and novel features of I my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

' In the drawings forming-a part of my specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my radio re- A ceiving unit in completed form.

Figure 2 is a bottomplan view of the chassis V in readiness for insertion into the cabinet.

Figure 3 is a sectional view through a portion of the chassis, the position of the section being indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the cabinet in readiness to receive the chassis.

Figure 5 is a sectional view through one end of i the cabinet showing the chassis in place therein.

Figure 6 is a sectional view through a portion. of the chassis and cabinet showing the manner in which the chassis is supported.

Figure '7 is a view through a portion of the front wall of the cabinet showing the manner in which the speaker grill is attached to the cabinet. Figure 8 is a sectional view through a portion of the speaker grill showing the manner in which it is attached to the cabinet.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a modified for of cabinet. showing the operating knobs on the front of the cabinet.

' Figure 10 i a sectional view through the cabinet of Figure 9.

The radio receiving unit A includes theouter cabinet Band the chassis C. The cabinet may be of any suitableshape or size, but in the form illustrated comprises a table model radio receiving unit of relatively small size. The cabinet. B

is cast of phenolic and urea plastics although-.1

Slots are provided a in the cabinet through which a portion of the purpose.

obviously other materials could be used for this The cabinet B includes end walls I and H, a rear wall I2 and a top wall 13. The top wall I3 is provided with an upwardly sloping central portion l4 projecting above the level of the remainder of the top 53. This upwardly sloping surface 14 merges into a downwardly inclined surface I5 having an aperture l6 therein. The sloping surfaces l4 and [5 are prvoided with substantially triangular side walls I! connecting these sloping surfaces to the remainder of the top I3. The aperture 18 provides a window by means of which the indicator finger l9 may be seen. The pointer 19 is slidable longitudinally of a scale which may bear suitable indicia to facilitate the tuning of the radio receiving unit. The aperture 16 is usually closed by this transparent scale through which the pointer [9 may be seen.

A pair of spaced slots 20 and 2: are provided in the top 13 near the front wall 22 of the cabinet. The top I3 is bulged upwardly at 23, for-. wardly of the slots 29 and 2!, and is also bulged upwardly, at 25 rearwardly of the slots 20 and 21. These upward bulges adjacent the slots are provided to enclose portions of the radio receiving unit operating knobs which extend through the slots and also to improve the appearance of the cabinet. The bulges also permit the knob supporting means to extend somewhat higher than would otherwise be possible.

The top I3 is provided with a pair of parallel reinforcing ribs 25 and 26 extending from the rear wall I2 to the front wall 22;. These reinforcing ribs act to strengthen the top 13. and also to provide a support for the chassis C. As best illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, the ribs 25, and 26 are provided with integral projections 21 which serve to limit the extent to which the chassis may be inserted into the cabinet. Integral with the reinforcing ribs 25 and26, I provide chassis supporting posts on which the chassis is supported. Posts 23 project from the reinforcing rib 25 while similar posts 30 project from the rib 26. These posts 29 and 3B are provided with a transverse slot or groove 3| therein at a point spaced from the end thereof. They slots or grooves are best illustrated in Figures land 6 of the drawings.

The radio receiving unit chassis C includes a mounting panel 32 on which the various elements of the receiving. set are mounted. The panel 32 includes tube sockets for supportingthe various tubes. The speaker 33 is mounted upon the panel 32 as arethe tuning condensers and the like. to the panel 32 by a bracket 35.

The mounting panel 32 is, in the form illustrated, generally rectangular in shape, and is of channel formation, being provided with parallel side flanges 36. Near these side flanges 36 and near the opposite ends of the panel 32, I pro! vide apertures 3'! which are properly spaced and are of proper size to freely receive the posts 29 and 33. A transverse slot 39 is provided in-the panel 32 between each adjacent pair of apertures 31 or near each end of the chassis mounting panel 32. A spring wire 40 is positionedin each slot 39 and is of proper length to extend slightly past the aperture 37. The wire 40 is held in place by a bolt 4! which extends through.

the panel 32 and the slot 39, and which is provided with washers 42 which extend on both sides of the wire 40 to hold the same engaged partially'in the slot 39. Each wire 40 is slightly curved upwardly from the center connection and An antenna 34 is also shown attached 4 1 normally extends over the apertures 31 near the center thereof.

The posts 29 and 3B are rounded or pointed at their free ends as indicated in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings. When the chassis C is inserted into the cabinet B, the posts 29 and 30 are extended through the apertures 31 in the panel 32. The rounded ends of these posts engage the spring wires 40, flexing the wire inwardlyj so as to slide along the cylindrical surface of the posts. When the panel 32 is completely inserted into place the under-surface of the chassis panel 32 engages against the projections 2'? of the reinforcing ribs 25 and 26 in the manner illustratecl in Figures 5 and 6. At this point in the movement the spring wires engage in the grooves 3| in the posts as best illustrated in Figure 6. When thus engaged the chassis is held supported upon the posts 29 and 38. Obviously the chassis can not slide off the posts as long as the spring wires 41} are engaged in the notches or slots-3i of the posts and as these spring wires are resiliently urged into the notches, there no chancefor the chassis to be accidentally dislodged. Furthermore the chassis is resiliently urged against the rib projections 21 and when the chassis is inverted, as in the radio receiving unit'A; illustrated, these springs form a resilient mounting. for the chassis.

As best illustrated in Figure 5-0f the dravvirigs the chassis is inverted when the radio receiving unit A is assembled, the tubes, speaker, and an tenna depending from the mountingpanel. Qb: viously the chassis could similarly beattached in upright position or supported'with the panel .32- on agenerally verticalplaneas will be later de-. scribed, As best illustrated in Figure 2,-ofthe drawings a pair of relatively large diameter knobs; E3 and Mare pivotally, supported to therchassisj to extend somewhat below the, flanges 3640f the. panel As indicated in Eigure 5-0f the draws ings these knobsare supported with their axes. 45 near the free edgeof the flanges 36 so that, the periphery of the; knobs extends considerably; beyond the, edges of these flanges. Accordingly when the chassis C is inserted into the cabinet B, as illustrated in Figure 2, these knobs 43 and. extend through the slots 20 and 2| to project abovethe top ,l3and slightly above the bulged portions, 23 and 24 of the top.v The edges of the knobs 4.41 and 45iare preferably ribbed .or knurled; so as to permitrotation of. the knobs from the exterior of the cabinet. One of the knobsis con-J nected to they tuning condensersto tune the-radio.

receivingv unit while the other-knob serves as the.

which must be electrically connected to the} chassis. Furthermorethe.speakerand aerial are. a

merely mounted uponthe chassis mounting panel 32 and are not individuallyconnected to the cabinet itself."

an aperture 45' forwardly-of the speaker 3 3. A-

grill e fv" ront wall 22 of the radioreceiving unit to improve the appearance of the cabinet and also to permit sound to leave the 3 cabinet and-at the same=timeconceal the speaker The front wall of thecabinet is' provided withfrom view. This grill is best illustrated in Figures 5 and-8 of the drawings and is preferably f formed of molded plastic, with a series of projected posts 41 extending rearwardly therefrom. These posts 41 extend through apertures 49 in the front wall 22 of the cabinet B, thus holding the grill in proper position upon the front wall. Spring washers 50, illustrated in Figures '7 and 8 of the drawings, are forced over these posts 41 to hold the grill assembled on the front of. the radio receiving unit. These spring washers are split to provide tension against the posts in such a way that the material of the Washer tends to dig into the plastic as an attempt is made to're-- move. the washersfrom the posts.

In Figures 9 and of the drawings I disclose a radio receiving unit D which is substantially identical to the radio receivingunit A, with the exception of the fact that the chassis is mounted upon horizontally extending posts rather than vertically extending posts. In the form illustrated the front panel 5: of the radio is provided with a forwardly and upwardly inclined panel 52 merginginto a rearwardly and upwardly inclined integral panel 53. Substantially triangular side panels 54 connect the sides of these panels to the front panel 5|. An aperture 55 is provided in the panel 53 which contains a transparent scale 58. An indicating pointer 51 operated in unison with the tuning condensers moves longitudinally of the scale 56 in the usual manner to indicate the setting of the tuning condensers.

Slots 59 and 60 are provided in the panel 5| through which the radio operating knobs 6i and 62 extend. The knobs BI and 62 are mounted upon the chassis 53. Reinforcing ribs 64 extend vertically from the bottom cabinet panel 65 to the top cabinet panel 66. Posts 61 project rearwardly from the front panel5l, the axes of these posts extending generally horizontally. The chassis 63 is equipped with apertures through which the posts 61 extend and wire springs ,69, identical to the springs 40, engage in notches 10 in the posts 61.

The chassis illustrated in Figure 10 is identical to the chassis 0 previously described. The speaker H in the radio receiving unit D directs sound through the grill l2 mounted'on the top panel 66. The grill is identical to the grill 46 previously described. A rear wall panel 13 may be provided to close the rear side of the radio if it is so desired.

Obviously when the chassis is inserted into the cabinet, the knobs 6| and 62 extend through the slots 59 and 60 and the chassis is supported by the posts 61, the wire springs 69 holding the chassis so supported. In a similar manner the chassis could be rearranged so as to direct the speaker H rearwardly or through a grill on the front of the cabinet if so desired.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my radio chassis mounting construction, and While I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following'claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A radio chassis supportfor use in conjunction with a self-contained radio chassis having a radio receiving unit supported thereupon and including control knobs supported on axes arranged in parallel planes and projecting beyond the periphery of the chassis, a cabinet having an open side-and a closed side opposite to said open side, a series of substantially parallel posts on said closedside projecting toward said open side, apertures in said chassis designed to accommodate said posts as said chassis is inserted into said cabinet and moved toward said closed side, means on said closed side engageable with said chassis to limit movement of said chassis toward said closed side, resilient means on said chassis, notches. in said posts for accommodating said resilient means to lock said chassis from movement longitudinally of said posts in a direction away. from said closed side, and slots in said closed side ofsaid cabinet through which portions of said control knobs extend when said chassis is engaged on said posts, said control means being operable from exteriorly of said cabinet through said slots.

2. A radio chassis support including a hollow cabinet having closed side walls, a closed top and an open bottom, a series of generally parallel posts projecting downwardly from said top within said cabinet, a chassis mounting panel having a radio receivin unit supported thereupon, portions of said receiving set being supported by said panel to extend toward the bottom of the cabinet,

being supported in inverted position, a pair of control knobs supported by said mounting panel and projectin upwardly above the level of the same, a pair of slots in the top of said cabinet through which said control knobs may project, resilient means on said mounting panel, and slots in said posts into which said resilient members are engageable, said resilient members holding said mounting panel engaged upon said posts and suspended from the top of the cabinet, said control knobs projecting through the top of the cabinet when said mounting panel is thus suspended.

3. The structure described in claim 2 and including a station indicating mechanism projecting above said mounting panel, and a slot in the top of said cabinet through which said indicating mechanism is visible when said mounting panel is supported upon said posts.

4. A radio chassis support for supporting a chassis within a hollow cabinet, the cabinet having a closed side and an open side opposite said closed side, said closed side having a series of parallel posts mounted thereupon, a radio chassis of dimensions to fit freely within said cabinet for movement toward and away from said closed side, said chassis having apertures therethrough for accommodation of said posts, said posts and apertures bein proportioned so that the apertures substantially align with said posts when said chassis fits into said cabinet, said chassis being proportioned relative to said cabinet to prevent substantial misalignment of said posts with said apertures, and resilient means on said chassis engageable with the portion of said posts projecting through said apertures to hold said chassis engaged thereupon.

5. The structure described in claim 4 and in which the portions of the posts projecting through the apertures have slots therein into which said resilient means engage.

6. The structure described in claim 4 and including means on said chassis for limiting movement of said chassis toward said closed side.

7. The structure described in claim 4 and in which the portions of the posts projecting through said apertures are slotted to accommodate said resilient means, and said resilient means bridges said apertures when engaged in the slots to pres 82 The st'ructure' describediin' claim 4 and inv wiiieh the-resilient means are supported on said chassis at a wsubstantialidistance fronnsaid .posts. and include aLfree end capable V of ispringing away;

from: said chassis upon: insertion" ofv the posts:

tl'iroughxthe apertures and: normally bridgingzthe'; apertures.

QQAHradiO chassis. support including: a..hol1ow=" cabinethavingftubularly.arrangediside walls haw ingaazclosedtend andxan open: endga pairiotgenfera1Iypara-11'e1.-partition walls extending across;

jecting;:beyond;the: partitionzwalls toward said;

open; end,- a. chassis having apertures therethrough desiggied' to accommodate said postshsaid chassiszbeing slidably supported. by saidi posts .and. engageable against saidop artition. walls, resilient.-

means-secured to the'surface of said chassis nearest said open end, said resilient means. being;

anchored toe-said chassisat points remoteifrom: saiiapertures and havingends arranged to normany; bridge said. apertures,,the portion of said. 25*

8* postsprim!eetirig through said apertures Having-=- slotsiherein into'w-hich saidrresilient meensmay engage, said resilient means" bridging "said aper tures when engiaged in'saidsiotsz BARTON T; SE'ICHELL;

REFERENCES=I GITED 'I'HeifoHoWing; references are of record inthe UNITED STATES PATENTS.

Number: Name Date 413103 Clevis Dec: 24', 1889- 1,6'65;891' Mystrom Apr; 19 1928" 1,724,371 Roth Aug; 13; 1929. 158381315 Hool'ey Dec: 29; 1931 2057,116 Rubens- Oct; 13; 1936 2,1085846' Brown Feb: 22'} 1938 2374, 107- Knn'ey Sptj261939 I 2}30-'7',80T ScriVen et"a1I Jan. 12', 1943? 2,382,428- Leuvelink' Aug. 14, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number;- Country: Date;

France: June 21, 1936 

